Some early Syracuse football practice notes for Tuesday

Frank Ordoñez/The Post-StandardLet's just say special teams coordinator Bob Casullo got a little fired up at Syracuse's football practice on Tuesday at the Dome

Syracuse, NY -- Temperatures are in the mid-to low 80s here today. It's wonderfully sunny and the Syracuse University football team has sequestered itself inside the hot and steamy Carrier Dome for practice. Same guy that made the Orange practice in the snow and cold during the spring is making sure conditions it takes full advantage of all the humidity and misery mid-August has to offer.

Got to the Dome a little early today in hopes of squeezing out a bit more time from the 30-minute window the media is allowed to watch practice. I'm afraid the script for us is going to be similar day after day with things limited to stretching and special teams work.

What to share? A few things:

- Head coach Doug Marrone sported a wicked game face as he entered the Carrier Dome with assistants Derrick Jackson and Greg Adkins. Wow. Not sure I've seen that look before.

- Marrone did soften things a bit when he visited with a recruit.

- Assistant head coach Bob Casullo was none-to-pleased with snapper Dalton Phillips during the place-kicking drill. After a couple of snaps dribbled their way to holder Rob Long, Casullo let it be known that there was a very big problem (we'll leave it at that.)

- Junior college transfer Andrew Tiller is working with the first-team field goal team at left guard. Makes sense given the size (6-5, 382) of the Nassau Community College transfer.

- Tight end Cody Catalina and defensive end Jared Kimmel are official members of the all-bicep team.

- Quarterback Greg Paulus tossed a few footballs today. All were to fellow quarterbacks standing 10 yards away. Hope to get some feedback from Marrone tonight after practice.

- For the kickoff coverage drill, a new pool of players worked as kick returners including Michael Jones, Shamarko Thomas, Phillip Thomas and Torian Phillips. Though Phillip Thomas jumped when he caught the deep kicksl, the true freshman defensive back has the look and glide of a big-time athlete.